Chapter 19. Bathing In Hot Water

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_ CHAPTER NINETEEN. BATHING IN HOT WATER

"Why, Joeboy," I cried excitedly, "how in the world did you manage to get here?"

"Um! Walk very fas'. Then crawly till Doppies hear and shoot. Then run very, very fas'. Water: Joeboy thirsty."

The faithful fellow had followed the troop as soon as he returned from his mission; and as he afterwards told me, with a broad smile upon his face, he tracked us by following the Boers.

"Joeboy know they try to ketch sojers," he said. Soon after this, the Boers having withdrawn to their former position, as was carefully tested by the scouts sent out, the Colonel and the officers held a little council of war, at which Denham was present. And then the Colonel announced his plans to this effect: He had made up his mind it was impossible to hold the ruined fortress without provisions, though he would have much liked to keep it as a base from which to make a series of attacks upon the enemy. It was perhaps possible to get help; butt this was doubtful, for the General's hands were very full. Then, by sending out several messengers with a despatch, one of them would be sure to reach headquarters; but, even if he did, the reply would probably be to the effect that it would be madness to despatch a detachment of infantry right out into the veldt at a time when the force at disposal was so very small. So the Light Horse must make a dash to extricate themselves from their awkward position. These, Denham said, were the details of the Colonel's plan.

"'That's how matters stand,' said the Colonel in conclusion, 'and I propose starting about two hours before daylight, going due east in column, and as quietly as possible, till we come in touch with their outposts, and then charge and cut our way through them before they have recovered from their surprise. Now,' he said, 'I am open to consider any better suggestion if either of the senior officers can propose one.'"

"Did any one make a suggestion?" I asked.

"Of course not. Every one thought the plan splendid," replied Denham.

"Then we're going to try it?" I said.

"We're going to do it," cried my companion warmly; "but I don't like giving up a rich gold-mine like this now we've found it."

"No," I said thoughtfully; "and, besides the gold, it is such a grand archaeological discovery."

"Well, yes, I suppose it is," replied Denham; "but I was thinking of the gold. I say, though, you'll have to sit fast, squire--regularly grow to your saddle."

"Of course; but I'm afraid we shall leave a lot of our poor fellows behind."

"Not we," cried Denham warmly. "Our fellows can ride, and there'll be no firing. The Doppies won't try to shoot for fear of hitting their own men, as it will be too dark for them to aim for us. Besides, we may steal through without being discovered."

"Not likely," I said. "They'll be too cunning. Depend upon it, they'll have vedettes out all along the line."

"Then the vedettes had better look out, for those we meet when we charge through in column will be in a very awkward position."

"Yes, very," I said thoughtfully.

"The Colonel then said all those not on duty were to lie down and sleep till they were roused up half-an-hour before the start."

"Oh yes," I said bitterly; "we shall all feel quite ready for and enjoy a good sleep with a ride like this in prospect."

"Well, why not? I know I shall sleep," said Denham. "So will you. So here goes."

As he spoke I noticed that the men were lying down in the soft sandy patches among the stones; and, after seeing to my horse--just as a matter of course, though there was no need, for Joeboy had gone to his side--I returned to where I had left Denham, and found him wrapped in his cloak, fast asleep, and announcing the fact gently to all around in what sounded like an attempt to purr.

"I may as well lie down," I thought, after seating myself on a block of stone, and gazing round at the high walls which encompassed us, and at the bright stars overhead looking down peacefully upon our camp, as if there were no such thing as war in the world. Then I began thinking about home again, and wondered what they were all doing there, and whether the Boers had interfered with my father because he was an Englishman. This brought up the thought that if the war went against the Boers they might go so far as to commandeer both my father and Bob. The thought was horrible.

"It doesn't matter so much about me," I meditated; "but for them to be dragged off, perhaps to fight against us--oh! it would be terrible."

There had until now been a sad feeling of restfulness about my position; but as I drew a mental picture of two forces drawn up against each other, with my father and brother forced to fight on one side, and myself a volunteer on the other, the rock upon which I was seated began to feel horribly hard, and I changed my position, to lie down on the soft sand at my feet.

Well, I had been very hard at work all day; and Nature intended the lying-down position to be accompanied by sleep. In less than a minute, I suppose--in spite of home troubles, risks in the future, and, above all, that one so very close at hand--my eyes closed for what seemed to be about a moment. Then some one was shaking my shoulder, and the some one's voice announced that it was Sergeant Briggs going round to all the men of his troop.

"Come, rouse up, my lad! rouse up!" he whispered. "We're off in less than half-an-hour."

I sprang to my feet, just as Denham came up. "Oh, there you are," he said drowsily. "I was just coming to wake you. I say, get right up beside me. We may as well go through it close together, and give one another a help--if we can."

That was a weird and strange business, moving about in the darkness, with the horses snorting and sighing as the saddle-girths were tightened, and bits and curbs adjusted for a ride where everything depended upon horse and man being well in accord; but the preparations did not take long, and we were soon all standing in our places, bridle upon arm, and in as regular order as the roughness of the stone-littered court would allow.

I now learned that the men posted upon the walls had been withdrawn, and that every one was in his place, waiting for the command to start upon a ride at the end of which many would not answer to their names.

Then, from out of the darkness, the Colonel's voice rose low and clear, giving the order "March!" and in single file the men moved off, leading their horses towards the openings, through which they passed; then they bore off to their right to take up position in line till all were out, our troop being last. Next came the order, softly given to the first troop, to mount; and the same order was quietly passed along from troop to troop till it reached us, and we sprang into our saddles almost without a sound.

"First come first served," said Denham to me in a whisper. "I should have liked to be in front so as to do some of the scouting and feeling for the enemy, besides having first go at them before they grew thick. I say, Val, we must mind that we don't get cut off and taken prisoners."

"Ugh! Yes," I said, with a shiver. "I say, isn't it rather chilly?"

"Be warm enough presently," said Denham bitterly. "Bah! This is too bad. I did want to be first in the column."

"Form fours--left!" came from the front.

I felt electrified as, quite accustomed to the command, the horses swung round to the left.

Then came the word "March!" and our column moved off, with Denham whispering to me.

"Talk about luck," he said. "Why, we're going round the other way, and we are to open the ball after all."

For so it was. We had made up our minds that we were to be last, but the Colonel's determination was to bear round to the left instead of the right; and in consequence of the movement the rear troop led. We rode on at a walk till we had passed round by the rocks which harboured the baboons, and then on till we were nearly opposite the opening by which we had entered the old stronghold.

Then the order came, "Right!" and we struck off straight away for the Boer force opposite, an advance-guard and supports being sent out far ahead; while the silence of the night was only broken by the softly-muffled tread of the horses, and once in a way by an impatient snort.

"That's the danger," said Denham to me softly. "Just at the nick of time our nags 'll be telling the Doppies we're coming."

"Perhaps not," I replied. "Where they are they have horses about them in all directions; and if they heard a snort, why shouldn't they think it was from one of their own ponies?"

"I hope they will," said Denham impatiently. "But, I say, the chief isn't going to keep us at this snail's-pace--is he? I want to gallop, and get it done.--Hullo! old Dark Night; I didn't know you were there."

This was to Joeboy, who was walking with one hand on the cantle of my saddle.

"Um!" said Joeboy; "come along take care of Boss Val."

"Good boy!" said Denham banteringly. "Take care of me too."

"Um! Yes! Take care too," replied the black; and just then an idea struck me, and I hastened to communicate it to my companion at once.

"Why, Denham," I said, "we ought to send Joeboy right on in front, away in advance of the guard. He wouldn't be noticed in the dark, and would be able to get close to the outposts and let us know when it is time to charge."

"Silence in the ranks there!" said a stern voice. "Not a word there! Who's here?"

"Denham, sir," replied my companion.

"Then you had better go to the rear. I want trustworthy officers in front during this emergency."

"Yes, sir," said Denham bitterly; and he was in the act of falling out from his place when, feeling unable to contain myself, I broke out:

"I beg pardon, sir; it was my fault. I spoke to propose--"

"To propose what?--Silence!"

I was mutinous in my excitement, for I continued:

"To send on this black we have with us right in front. He could get close up to the outposts without being seen."

I expected a severe rebuke before I had finished; but, to my surprise, the Colonel--for it was he who had ridden up to the front--heard me to the end.

"A black?" he said. "Is he to be trusted?"

"I'll answer for him, sir," I said eagerly.

"Here, Mr Denham," said the Colonel, "stay in your place. Yes--send the black scout on at once to creep forward far in advance of the column, and tell him to come back and give us full warning of how near we are to the enemy."

The Colonel drew rein as soon as he had spoken, and we passed on, while as soon as we were getting out of hearing Denham gripped my arm.

"You brick!" he whispered. "Now then, send on your Joeboy.--Do you understand what for?" he now asked the black.

"Um!" replied Joeboy. "Find the Doppies, and come back."

"That's right," said Denham eagerly. "Creep up as close as you can, and then come and warn us. Oh, what a blessing to have a black skin, and no clothes to hide it!"

"Joeboy go now?"

"Yes. Off," whispered Denham, and the black uttered a peculiar click with his tongue, leaped out sidewise, and then bounded forward without a sound. One moment we saw his black figure dimly; the next he seemed to have melted away or been absorbed into the blackness right ahead, and for some time we were following the track of what had been like a shadow.

I listened as our horses tramped quietly on through what was, now that the kopje had been left behind, like a sandy desert, whose soft surface completely muffled the hoofs. Once in a while there was a faint rustling as the horses brushed through a patch of thick bush or the yellow-flowered thorn; but not a stone was kicked away or sent forth a sharp metallic sound. So quiet was it that Denham turned to me and whispered:

"Who'd ever think there were four hundred of our fellows on the march behind us?"

"And somewhere about twelve or fifteen hundred of the enemy in a circle round about."

"Yes; but they're standing still," he said. "Think your Joeboy will make them out?"

"I'm sure of it," I said.

"That's right. Then in a few minutes we shall be at them with a rush. I don't like this fighting in the dark."

"It will be a shout, a rush, and we shall cut our way right through," I said.

"Perhaps; but don't you cut, young fellow. If you come at any one there in front, you give point; don't waste time in cutting. I say, Val; if I don't get through, and you can get to where I'm found--"

"What are you talking about?" I whispered sharply.

"About my will," he said quietly. "I leave you my watch and my sword."

"And I'll leave you my rifle and Sandho. He's a splendid fellow to go."

"Stuff and nonsense!" said Denham, interrupting me. "You won't be hurt."

"That's more than you know," I said peevishly, for his words upset me; and when he went on I made no reply. Even if I had replied I should not have been able to finish my speech, for Joeboy now came up at a long loping run. He caught at Denham's bridle, checking the horse, while Sandho and the three troopers on my right stopped short, and the whole line of horsemen suddenly halted.

"What is it?" said Denham.

"Doppies all along," said Joeboy. "All this way; all that way," he continued, gesticulating.

"How far?" I whispered.

Joeboy shook his head, and seemed to feel puzzled how to answer the question. At last he raised his face and whispered, as he pointed forward:

"Far as two sojers over dah," he said, "and far again."

"Twice as far as the advance-guard," I interpreted his words to mean.

At that moment the Colonel rode up, and Denham repeated the black's words.

"That's right," he said in a low tone, with his face turned so that as many of the troop as possible should hear. "Lieutenant Denham, I shall not alter our formation. Your orders are, 'Forward' at a walk, and as silently as if the horses were grazing, till the advance-posts give the alarm. Then gallop straight away. Not a shot to be fired. Forward!"

There was a low murmur as of many drawing a deep, long breath. Then the column was in motion, and I felt a thrill of excitement running through me like a wave, while unconsciously I nipped Sandho's sides so that he began to amble. This brought back the knowledge that I must be cool, so I gently checked the brave little horse, and softly patted his arching neck, when he promptly slowed to a walking pace like the others. Then I found that Joeboy had crept round to my right side, between me and the next trooper, and, assagai in hand, was holding on to my saddle with his left hand.

All was perfectly still; and though we had gone on fully a hundred yards, there was nothing to be heard or seen of the enemy in front.

Suddenly Denham leaned towards me, and gripped my shoulder for a moment before loosening his grasp and holding his right hand before me.

"Shake," he said in a low whisper.

Our hands pressed one another for a brief moment or two, and then we both sat upright, listening.

All was yet silent. Then, far away, but so loudly that the air seemed to throb, came the deep, thunderous, barking roar of a lion, followed from out of the darkness ahead by the rush and plunge of a startled horse.

"Quiet, you cowardly brute, or I'll pull your head off!" came loudly in Dutch, as a horse somewhere to our left uttered a loud, challenging neigh. This was answered directly by Denham's charger; and in an instant a horse in front followed the first horse's example.

I heard a faint rustle as every man threw his right arm over the reins to seize the hilt of his sabre, and the feeling of wild excitement began to rush through me again as I gripped my own and waited for the order to draw.

Now the darkness was cut by a bright flash of light right in front; there was the sharp crack of a rifle, and right and left _flash, crack, flash, crack_, ran along a line.

As the first report was heard Denham rose in his stirrups. "Draw swords!" he yelled; and then, "Gallop!"

There was the rasping of blades against the scabbards, three or four closely following digs into the soft sandy ground, with our horses' muscles quivering beneath us, and then we were off at full speed, tearing after the outposts, which had wheeled round and galloped back, while with our sabres at the ready we went straight ahead.

"Keep together, lads," cried Denham in a low, hoarse voice; but the order was needless, for, after the manner of their nature, our chargers hung together; and as we raced along it seemed to me that we should pass right through the enemy's lines without a check.

Vain thought! Away in front, as we galloped on, a low, deep hum seemed to be approaching; and I knew the alarm had spread, and that the Boers were rapidly preparing for us. More than that, we had convincing proof that they were prepared.

Suddenly, flashing, glittering lights, as of hundreds of fireflies playing about a hedge extending right and left as far as I could see, began to sparkle and scintillate; but only for a moment, for now came the crackling roar of irregular firing, the flashes being partially obscured. Then, in a few brief moments more, we were closing up to the long line of riflemen.

"Now for it!" cried Denham close to my loft ear, his voice sounding like a husky whisper as we raced on knee to knee, and then our horses rose, as it were, at a fire-tipped hedge to clear the smoke.

There was a crash, yells of rage and defiance, and we were through, tearing away with the roar of our long line of galloping horses close after us. There was no time to think of danger--of shots from the enemy, or being crushed down by the hoofs of the troopers tearing after us; all was one wild state of fierce excitement, which made me feel as if I must shout in triumph at the result of our successful charge.

Contrary to expectation, there was now a new sound--the buzzing hiss of bullets overhead. Then, away to my left, yet another peculiar announcement of what might happen; for, clearly above the heavy thud of horses' hoofs and the loud jingle of bits and chains, I could hear a curious _zip, zip, zip, zip_--a sound I had learned to know perfectly well: it was the striking of the Boers' bullets upon inequalities of the ground, and their ricochetting to hit again and again, as though a demoniacal game of "Dick, duck, and drake" were being played upon the surface of the ground instead of upon the water from off the shore.

Suddenly some one tore along to the side of our column, and a voice shouted, followed by the clear notes of a trumpet.

The horses wanted no touch from rein or spur. Those right and left of me bore round, and naturally mine went with them. Left incline, and we tore on still in as wild and reckless a race through the darkness as was ever ridden by a body of men.

The bullets overhead buzzed, and the ricochets sounded _zip, zip_; but, as far as we could tell, no one was hit, nor had a man gone down from the false stop of a horse.

Unexpectedly, though, I heard a cry from somewhere behind, then a heavy fall, and another, as a couple of horses went down, and caused some confusion; but to stop to help the unfortunates was impossible at such a time. It was the fortune of war, as we all knew; and we tore on, till a note from the trumpet rose from our left; then another, and the fierce gallop was changed to a trot, and evolution after evolution was executed to bring the retiring regiment into formation of troops. Soon after this was completed a fresh call brought us to a walk, and directly after to a halt to breathe the panting horses.

"Dismount, my lads," cried the Colonel. This order was to enable the brave beasts to have the full advantage of our halt.

"Hurt?" was asked excitedly on all sides; but every answer was in the negative, and we stood there by our troopers and chargers in the darkness, listening to the wild excitement from the distance.

The firing was still going on, but in a confused, desultory way; and for the moment it seemed as if we had made good our escape, and had nothing to do but mount and ride quietly away. That was how it struck me, and I said so to Denham.

"Oh no," he said anxiously. "Didn't you see?"

"See what?" I asked.

"Why, we were riding straight on into another body of the enemy after we had cut through the first."

"No," I said. "Who could see through this darkness?"

"Well, I didn't at first; but when the Colonel dashed up with the trumpeter and turned us off to the left, I looked out for the reason, and there it was: a long line of the brutes, blazing away in our direction. You must have heard the bullets."

"Yes, I heard them," I said, "but I thought they came from behind."

"Some of them did, my lad, and I'm afraid we've left a good many poor fellows behind. But them, it can't be helped. The thing now to be settled is which way we are to go next. Listen; the officers are nearly all with the chief now, and the whole plain seems to be dotted with the enemy."

Denham had hardly done speaking when a movement a short distance from us resulted in the officers joining their troops and squadrons. Then the order to mount was passed softly from troop to troop, and we waited for the little force to be put in motion again.

"It's of no use for the chief to try the same ruse again," whispered Denham. "It was right enough as a surprise; but the enemy is on the alert now. It seems to me we are as completely surrounded as before."

"Never mind," I said, as cheerily as I could; "we shall do it yet."

"Oh yes, we shall do it yet," replied my companion; "but it must be done quietly and quickly, while it's dark. I say, though, what about your black boy? He couldn't have kept up with our mad gallop."

"Joeboy?" I said in an excited whisper. "Joeboy? I forgot all about him;" and a pang of misery shot through me.

"He was holding on by your saddle--wasn't he?"

"Yes," I said huskily; "but from the moment I drew my sword and we charged, I never thought about the poor fellow till you spoke."

"Advance at a walk!" was the next order; and as we started, the Colonel came up to where Denham and I rode at one end of the leading troop.

"Here," cried the Colonel; "where's that Matabele fellow? He may lead us out of this crowd."

"Gone, sir," said Denham quietly. "We lost him in the gallop."

"Tut, tut, tut!" muttered the Colonel; "he would have been more useful than ever now. Forward at a walk! They can't see us, nor tell us from one of their friendly troops riding about the veldt. Silence in the ranks!"

"He needn't have spoken," said Denham in a low voice, as the Colonel drew rein and let us pass. "We shall get through yet, as you say."

However, the odds seemed to be terribly against us, for whichever way we turned large bodies of the enemy were evidently in front; and after changing our direction again and again during the next two hours, the Colonel at last halted the corps.

"It's of no use," I heard him say to one of the senior officers. "We're only tiring out the horses and men. We must stand fast till daybreak, then select our route, make for it, and try what a good charge will do. We shall clear ourselves then."

Directly afterwards the order was passed for the men to dismount and refresh themselves with such water and provisions as they had, and silence once more reigned among us; for, not far off, large bodies of the mounted Boers were in motion, and twice we were passed at apparently some two hundred yards' distance, our presence not being detected.

"We ought to be able to get through," whispered Denham to me soon after the second body had gone by. "They must be thinking by this time that we have got right away. Where do you think we are facing now? North, I should say."

"East," I replied, pointing away straight in front. "That's the morning breaking."

"For the beginning of another day," said Denham softly. "Well, I shan't be unhappy when this one's work is done."

"Nor I," was my reply. "I half-wish we had stayed among the ruins."

"To be starved," said Denham bitterly. "No; this is far better. It gives us something to do."

"Yes," I replied; "and there's some more, for the Colonel's coming up." _

Read next: Chapter 20. What People Think Brave

Read previous: Chapter 18. The Old Folks Work

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